Method and apparatus for determining concentration using polarized light

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid includes a first polarizer configure to polarize light in substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light. A second polarizer is capable of polarizing the initially polarized light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light. One or more receivers are included for measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/243,233, filed Aug. 22, 2016 and entitled Method and Apparatus forDetermining Concentration Using Polarized Light, now U.S. Pat. No.9,746,417, issued Aug. 29, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/550,182, filed Nov. 21, 2014 and entitled Methodand Apparatus for Determining Concentration Using Polarized Light, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,423,337, issued Aug. 23, 2016, which is a Continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/758,535, filed Feb. 4, 2013 andentitled Method and Apparatus for Determining Concentration UsingPolarized Light, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,902,424, issued Dec. 2, 2014, whichis a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/081,783 filedon Apr. 7, 2011, and entitled Method and Apparatus for DeterminingConcentration Using Polarized Light, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,368,888, issuedFeb. 5, 2013, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/698,377 filed on Feb. 2, 2010, and entitled Method and Apparatusfor Determining Concentration Using Polarized Light, now abandoned,which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/936,437,filed Nov. 7, 2007 and entitled Method and Apparatus for DeterminingConcentration Using Polarized Light, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,656,527, issuedFeb. 2, 2010, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/857,392, filed on Nov. 7, 2006 and entitledApparatus and Method for Determining Glucose Concentration UsingPolarized Light, each of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to determining concentration of chiralmolecules in a fluid, and more particularly to determining concentrationof chiral molecules in a fluid using polarized light.

BACKGROUND

There are multiple reasons to detect the concentration of a compound ina solution. One reason for detecting concentration may be to ensureproper mixing of multi-component solutions. In order to increase theshelf life of a solution, in some circumstances, the various componentsmay, for example, be kept in different chambers of a multi-chambersolution bag. The seal between the two chambers is then broken, mixingthe various components. The concentration of the mixed solution can beused as an indicator to ensure that the chambers have been properlymixed.

Additionally, online mixing of two concentrations of a solution may becarried out to achieve a desired concentration. Automatically detectingthe concentrations of solutions as well as creating and verifying adesired concentration, may allow for customized concentrations ofsolutions to be created, for example, without necessitating a premixedsolution having the desired concentration. The ability to detect theavailable concentrations and to mix different concentrations may be usedin a number of different applications.

In various additional circumstances, the concentration of glucose in asolution, or determination of the mere presence of glucose may bedesired.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In a first implementation an apparatus includes a first polarizerconfigured to polarize light substantially in a first plane. A secondpolarizer is configured to polarize light in a plurality of planes, atleast one of the plurality of planes being different from the firstplane. The apparatus further includes one or more receivers capable ofmeasuring an intensity of incident light transmitted through the firstpolarizer and through the second polarizer.

One or more of the following features may be included. The apparatus mayinclude a light source capable of providing light incident upon thefirst polarizer, the light incident upon the first polarizer may besubstantially randomly polarized. The apparatus may also include a fluidchamber, at least a portion of the fluid chamber may be at leastpartially disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer.The fluid chamber may include an at least partially transparent fluidline configured to allow a fluid containing a concentration of chiralmolecules to flow through the fluid chamber. The chiral molecules mayinclude glucose molecules.

The second polarizer may include a polarizer array including one or morepolarizing elements. Each of the one or more polarizing elements may beconfigured to polarize light substantially in a respective single plane.Each of the respective single planes may be different from one or moreof the other of the respective single planes. The second polarizer mayinclude a gradient polarizer configured to polarize light in a pluralityof different planes.

At least one of the one or more receivers may be capable of measuring anintensity of light in one or more of the plurality of planes. Thereceiver may include a linear receiver array. Additionally/alternativelythe receiver may include one or more individual receivers, at least oneindividual receiver associated with each of the plurality of planes.

According to a second implementation, a method includes polarizing lightin substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light, andtransmitting the initially polarized light through a fluid chamber. Theinitially polarized light transmitted through the fluid chamber ispolarized in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality ofplanes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequentlypolarized light. An intensity of the subsequently polarized light ismeasured in one or more of the plurality of planes.

One or more of the following features may be included. A fluidcontaining a concentration of chiral molecules may be provided in thefluid chamber. The chiral molecules may include glucose molecules.

The method may include measuring an intensity of the subsequentlypolarized light when the fluid chamber does not contain the fluid andmeasuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light when thefluid chamber contains the fluid. A measured intensity of thesubsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber does not contain thefluid and a measured intensity of the subsequently polarized light whenthe fluid chamber contains the fluid may be compared. The concentrationof the chiral molecules may be determined based upon, at least in part,a difference in the measured intensity of the subsequently polarizedlight when the fluid chamber does not contain the fluid and the measuredintensity of the subsequently polarized light when the fluid chambercontains the fluid.

The method may further include providing a visual indicator of measuredintensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of theplurality of planes. The visual indicator may include a curve ofmeasured intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more ofthe plurality of planes.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a concentration determining apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for determining the concentration ofchiral molecules using the concentration determining apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically depicts a polarizer array that may be used inconnection with the concentration determining apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 diagrammatically depicts a gradient polarizer that may be used inconnection with the concentration determining apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a plot of relative intensity versus polarization planeangle for various rotational angles of initially polarized light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown concentration determining apparatus10 for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluidusing polarized light. Concentration determining apparatus 10 mayinclude first polarizer 12 configured to polarize light substantially ina first plane. Concentration determining apparatus 10 may additionallyinclude second polarizer 14 configured to polarize light in a pluralityof planes, with at least one of the plurality of planes being differentfrom the first plane. Additionally, concentration determining apparatus10 may include one or more receivers (e.g., receiver 16) capable ofmeasuring an intensity of light transmitted through first polarizer 12and second polarizer 14.

Fluid chamber 18 capable of containing a fluid including a concentrationof chiral molecules may be disposed relative to first polarizer 12 andsecond polarizer 14, such that at least a portion of fluid chamber 18 isat least partially disposed between first polarizer 12 and secondpolarizer 14. A concentration of the chiral molecules included withinthe fluid may be determined based upon, at least in part, an intensityof the light measured by the one or more receivers (e.g., receiver 16).

Light source 20 may be capable of providing generally randomly polarizedlight incident upon first polarizer 12. Continuing with the above-statedexample, and referring also to FIG. 2, first polarizer 12 may polarize50 light from light source 20 in substantially a first plane (e.g., inthe horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. 1) to provide 52 initiallypolarized light 22. First polarizer 12 may include any known linearpolarizer, such as a polarized film, a polarizing filter, or the like.Initially polarized light 22 transmitted from first polarizer 12 may betransmitted 54 through at least a portion of fluid chamber 18. Secondpolarizer 14 may polarize 56 initially polarized light 22 transmitted 54through fluid chamber 18, in a plurality of planes. At least one of theplurality of planes may be different than the first plane (e.g., may bea plane other than the horizontal plane of initially polarized light22). As such, second polarizer 14 may provide 58 subsequently polarizedlight 24. Subsequently polarized light 24 may include light polarized inthe plurality of planes. That is, subsequently polarized light 24 mayinclude components of initially polarized light 22 oriented in each ofthe plurality of planes provided by second polarizer 14. Subsequentlypolarized light 24 associated with each of the plurality of planes maybe at least partially spatially separated from subsequently polarizedlight 24 associated with each of the other planes of the plurality ofplanes.

Referring also to FIG. 3, second polarizer 14 may include polarizerarray 100. Polarizer array 100 may include one or more individualpolarizing elements (e.g., polarizing elements 102, 104, 106, 108, 110,112, 114, 116). Each of polarizing elements 102, 104, 106, 108, 110,112, 114, 116 may be configured to polarize 56 initially polarized light22 substantially in a respective single plane. Each of the respectivesingle planes may be different from one or more of the other respectivesingle planes. For example, as shown, each of polarizing elements 102,104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 may have a polarization plane (e.g.,diagrammatically indicated by the bisecting line of each polarizingelement 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116) that is different fromeach of the other polarizing elements 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114,116. For example, as shown, polarizing element 102 may have a generallyvertical polarizing plane. The polarizing plane of each of polarizingelements 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 may be incrementally rotated22.5 degrees relative to the angularly adjacent polarizing elements. Ofcourse other incremental rotational angles, as well as varying numbersof polarizing elements may be used depending upon preference and designcriteria. Further, one or more of the polarizing elements mayadditionally/alternatively have a polarization plane that is the same asone or more of the other polarizing elements.

Referring also to FIG. 4, second polarizer 14 may also include gradientpolarizer 150. Gradient polarizer 150, which may be formed, e.g., viaphotolithography, or other suitable techniques, may be configured topolarize light in a plurality of different planes, diagrammaticallyrepresented by polarizing axes 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166,168. Gradient polarizer 150 may include incremental polarization planes,or may include continuously varying polarization planes. Gradientpolarizer 150 may provide a plurality of polarization planes within asmall area, e.g., which may reduce the size of second polarizer 14.

As mentioned above, subsequently polarized light 24 associated with eachof the plurality of planes may be at least partially separated fromsubsequently polarized light 24 associated with each of the other planesof the plurality of planes. In the example of polarizer array 100, eachpolarizing element 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 may provide 58subsequently polarized light 24 associated with one of the plurality ofplanes (e.g., having a different plane of polarization). As shown,polarizing elements 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 are at leastpartially spatially separated from one another. Subsequently polarizedlight 24 associated with each of polarizing elements 102, 104, 106, 108,110, 112, 114, 116 may be similarly at least partially spatiallyseparated from one another. In a similar manner, gradient polarizer 150may provide subsequently polarized light 24 associated with each of theplurality of planes (e.g., represented by polarizing axes 152, 154, 156,158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168) that may be at least partially linearlyseparated from subsequently polarized light 24 associated with each ofthe other of the plurality of planes.

Continuing with the above-stated example, the one or more receivers(e.g., receiver 16) may measure 60 the intensity of subsequentlypolarized light 24 in one or more of the plurality of planes provided bysecond polarizer 14. The one or more receivers (e.g., receiver 16) mayinclude a linear receiver array (e.g., a CMOS sensor array), in which arespective portion of the linear receiver array may measure 60 theintensity of subsequently polarized light 24 corresponding to aspecified one (or range) of the plurality of planes. For example, asdiscussed above, second polarizer 14 may polarize initially polarizedlight 22 in a plurality of planes. A region of a linear receiver arraymay measure the intensity of subsequently polarized light 24 associatedwith each of the plurality of planes. In a further embodiment, the oneor more receivers may include a separate receiver for each of theplurality of planes (or a range of the plurality of planes) provided bysecond polarizer 14.

The intensity of the light measured 60 by the one or more receivers maybe based upon, at least in part, the difference between the angle of thefirst plane of initially polarized light 22 and the angles of each ofthe plurality of planes of polarization provided by second polarizer 14.Generally, an angular difference between the first plane and arespective one of the plurality of planes provided by second polarizer14 approaching 90 degrees may provide a lower measured 60 intensityassociated with the respective one of the plurality of planes. Theintensity of the measured light 60 associated with one of the pluralityof planes provided by second polarizer 14 may be given by:M _(post) =M _(pre) k|cos(θdiff)|

wherein M_(pre) is the magnitude of the intensity of initially polarizedlight 22, M_(post) is the magnitude of the intensity of subsequentlypolarized light 24 associated with the respective one of the pluralityof planes provided by second polarizer 14, k is an attenuation factor ofsecond polarizer 14, e.g., which may account for losses duringtransmission of initially polarized light 22 through second polarizer14, and θ diff is the angular difference between the first plane and therespective one of the plurality of planes provided by second polarizer14. Accordingly, a maximum intensity may be measured 60 when θ diff isequal to zero degrees, and a minimum intensity may be measured 60 when θdiff is equal to 90 degrees.

As mentioned above, at least a portion of fluid chamber 18 may be atleast partially disposed between first polarizer 12 and second polarizer14. Fluid chamber 18 may include an at least partially transparent fluidline configured to allow a fluid containing a concentration of chiralmolecules to flow through fluid chamber 18 (e.g., via inlet 26 andoutlet 28). Additionally, the at least partially transparent fluid linemay allow for the transmission 54 of initially polarized light 22through fluid chamber 18 and any at least partially transparent fluidcontained therein. Fluid chamber 18 may be a disposable component, e.g.,associated with a fluid source (not shown) and/or a fluid deliverysystem (also not shown). Concentration determining apparatus may allowoptical detection of the concentration of the chiral molecules. As such,the concentration of the chiral molecules may be determined withoutdirect contact with the fluid.

An example of a chiral molecule may include, but is not limited to,glucose. For example, the fluid may include a dialysate includingglucose. Based upon, at least in part, the chirality of glucose,polarized light (e.g., initially polarized light 22) transmitted 54through the dialysate may be rotated by the glucose. The angle ofrotation of the polarized light may vary generally linearly with thelength of the path of the polarized light through the fluid and theconcentration of the chiral molecule within the fluid. As such, theconcentration of glucose in the dialysate may be determined based upon,at least in part, the length of the path through the dialysate and theangular rotation of polarized light passing through the dialysate. Therelationship between the angle of rotation, the length of the path ofthe polarized light and the concentration of the chiral molecule in thefluid may be given by:ϕ=α_(λ) LC

wherein ϕ is the angle of rotation of the polarized light, α_(λ) is thespecific rotation for the chiral molecule at wavelength λ, L is the pathlength of the polarized light, and C is the concentration of the chiralmolecule within the fluid. The above equation may be similarlyapplicable to other fluids containing chiral molecules.

Continuing with the above stated example of a dialysate includingglucose, glucose may be dextrorotatory. As such, light may be rotated ina right-handed direction when passing through a fluid including glucose.Additionally, the specific rotation may increase as the wavelength ofthe light decreases. Therefore light with shorter wavelengths may berotated a greater angle for a given path length through the fluid havinga given concentration of glucose. As an example of the specific rotationof glucose, for a wavelength of λ=589 nm, α_(λ)=52.6° ml/(dm g).Accordingly, in one embodiment light source 20 may be, e.g., an LEDproviding substantially randomly polarized light having an approximatewavelength of 589 nm. Of course, other wavelengths may additionally beused depending upon design criteria and preference. Specific rotationmay be determined for the wavelength of light source 20, allowingconcentration of glucose to be calculated based upon the specificrotation for the wavelength used, the path length through the glucose,and the angle of rotation of polarized light passing through theglucose.

Based upon, at least in part, the specific rotation of the chiralmolecules included within the fluid, the path length through the fluid,and an angle of rotation of polarized light passing through the fluid,the concentration of the chiral molecules included within the fluid maybe determined according to the above-described relationship. As alsodiscussed above, the angle of the plane of initially polarized light 22incident upon second polarizer 14 (e.g., after being transmitted 54through fluid chamber 18) may be determined based upon, at least inpart, the measured 60 intensity of the subsequently polarized light inthe plurality of planes. The angle of rotation of polarized lightpassing through the fluid including a concentration of chiral moleculesmay be determined, at least in part, by comparing 62 the intensity ofthe subsequently polarized light 24 in the plurality of planes whenfluid chamber 18 does not contain the fluid including a concentration ofchiral molecules and the intensity of the subsequently polarized light24 when fluid chamber 18 does contain the fluid including aconcentration of chiral molecules (resulting in rotation of initiallypolarized light 22 transmitted through fluid chamber 18).

Continuing with the above-stated example, measuring 60, by the one ormore receivers, the intensity of subsequently polarized light 24 in theplurality of planes provided by second polarizer 14 may includemeasuring 64 the intensity of subsequently polarized light 24 in theplurality of planes when fluid chamber 18 does not contain the fluidincluding a concentration of chiral molecules and measuring 66 theintensity of subsequently polarized light 24 in the plurality of planeswhen fluid chamber 18 does contain the fluid including a concentrationof chiral molecules (e.g., by causing the fluid to flow through fluidchamber 18 via inlet 26 and outlet 28).

The concentration of the chiral molecules may be determined 68 basedupon, at least in part, a difference in the measured 64 intensity ofsubsequently polarized light 24 when fluid chamber 18 does not containthe fluid and the measured 66 intensity of subsequently polarized light24 when fluid chamber 18 contains the fluid. Referring also to FIG. 5,determining 68 the concentration of the chiral molecules included withinthe fluid may include providing a visual indicator of measured 60intensity of subsequently polarized light at one or more of theplurality of planes. For example, plot 200 may correlate the relativeintensity of subsequently polarized light 24 to the angle of each of theplurality of planes. Curve 202 may be fit to the measured 64 intensityof subsequently polarized light of each of the plurality of planes whenfluid chamber 18 does not include the fluid. The peak of curve 202 maycorrespond to the angle of initially polarized light 22 incident uponsecond polarizer 14 (e.g., after passing through fluid chamber 18 whenfluid chamber 18 does not contain the fluid including chiral molecules).

In a similar manner, curves 204, 206, 208, 210, and 212 may correspondto rotation angles of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 degrees of initiallypolarized light 22 relative to second polarizer 14 (e.g., as may occurwhen initially polarized light 22 passes through the fluid includingchiral molecules of increasing concentration, when fluid chamber 18 doescontain the fluid including a concentration of chiral molecules). Aswith curve 202, the peak of curves 204, 206, 208, 210, and 212 maycorrespond to the angle of initially polarized light 22 incident uponsecond polarizer 14, e.g., as may occur after passing through fluidchamber 18 when fluid chamber 18 does contain the fluid including aconcentration of chiral molecules. The offset of curves 204, 206, 208,210, 212 relative to curve 202 may indicate the angle of rotation ofinitially polarized light 22, for example as may be imparted by thefluid including a concentration of chiral molecules. As discussed above,the concentration of chiral molecules included within the fluid may becalculated based upon the path length of initially polarized light 22through the fluid including chiral molecules and the angle of initiallypolarized light 22 incident upon second polarizer 14 after passingthrough fluid including a concentration of chiral molecules (e.g., ascompared to the angle of initially polarized light 22 incident uponsecond polarizer 14 after passing through fluid chamber 18 notcontaining the fluid including a concentration of chiral molecules).

According to one aspect, concentration determining apparatus 10 may becalibrated, e.g., to account for any gain associated with the one ormore receivers. For example, un-polarized (e.g., randomly polarized)light incident on second polarizer 14 may produce subsequently polarizedlight 24 having a generally equal intensity in each of the plurality ofplanes. The one or more receivers (e.g., receiver 16) may measure 60 theintensity of subsequently polarized light 24 (resulting fromnon-polarized light incident on second polarizer 14) in each of theplurality of planes. A gain factor may be determined for each of the oneor more receivers (e.g., for each of the plurality of planes) so thatthe measured intensity for each of the plurality of planes may beadjusted to provide a generally uniform measured intensity in each ofthe plurality of planes. The gain factor determined for each of the oneor more receivers may be applied to measured 60 intensities for eachrespective one of the one or more receivers to factor out the gainassociated with each of the one or more receivers.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for determining the concentration ofchiral molecules in a fluid comprising: a first polarizer configured topolarize light substantially in a first plane; a second polarizerconfigured to polarize light in a plurality of planes, at least one ofthe plurality of planes being different from the first plane; a fluidchamber, at least a portion of the fluid chamber at least partiallydisposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, the fluidchamber configured to retain a volume of fluid; and at least onereceiver capable of measuring an intensity of incident light transmittedthrough the first polarizer and through the second polarizer, whereinthe second polarizer includes a polarizer array including one or morepolarizing elements, each of the one or more polarizing elementsconfigured to polarize light substantially in a respective single plane,each of the respective single planes being different from one or more ofthe other of the respective single planes.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1further including a light source capable of providing light incidentupon the first polarizer, the light incident upon the first polarizerbeing substantially randomly polarized.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the fluid chamber includes an at least partially transparentfluid line configured to allow a fluid containing a concentration ofchiral molecules to flow through the fluid chamber.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the chiral molecules include glucose molecules.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second polarizer includes a gradientpolarizer configured to polarize light in a plurality of differentplanes.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the atleast one receivers are capable of measuring an intensity of light inone or more of the plurality of planes.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one receiver includes a linear receiver array. 8.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver includes oneor more individual receivers, at least one individual receiverassociated with each of the plurality of planes.
 9. A method comprising:transmitting initially polarized light through a fluid chamber;polarizing the initially polarized light transmitted through the fluidchamber in at least a first plane and a second plane, the second planebeing different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarizedlight; measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in theat least two planes; and measuring an intensity of the subsequentlypolarized light when the fluid chamber does not contain the fluid andmeasuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light when thefluid chamber contains the fluid.
 10. The method of claim 9, furtherincluding providing a fluid capable of containing a concentration ofchiral molecules in the fluid chamber.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the chiral molecules include glucose molecules.
 12. The methodof claim 9, further including comparing a measured intensity of thesubsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber does not contain thefluid and a measured intensity of the subsequently polarized light whenthe fluid chamber contains the fluid.
 13. The method of claim 12,further including determining the concentration of the chiral moleculesbased upon, at least in part, a difference in the measured intensity ofthe subsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber does not containthe fluid and the measured intensity of the subsequently polarized lightwhen the fluid chamber contains the fluid.
 14. The method of claim 13,further including providing a visual indicator of measured intensity ofthe subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality ofplanes.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the visual indicatorincludes a curve of measured intensity of the subsequently polarizedlight in one or more of the plurality of planes.